Apparatus for cold dry cleaning



Oct. 27, 1953 D, MCDQNALD 2,656,696

APPARATUS FOR COLD DRY CLEANING Filed Dec. ll. 1951 2 lSheetjs--Sheet l Oct. 27, 1953 D. MoDoNALD 2,656,696

APPARATUS FOR COLD DRY CLEANING Filed Dec. l1, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

@an j'fcofzald BY me, #bym-1- 'hnw Patented ct. 27, 1.953

'Dan McDonald, Aurora, Ill., Vassigner to Aurora Research Industries, ,Inc., Aurora, Ill., Aa corporation of Illinois Application December 11, 1951,:Sferial No. 261,023

(Cl. G8-318i) 1'7 Claims.

This invention relatesto cold dry cleaning apparatus for `use in the dry Cleaning Of Clothes and analagous articles in suitable solvents, preferably chlorinated hydrocarbons.

Dry cleaning apparatuses are Well known and extensively used. In general, the apparatuses presently in use are rather complicated both in construction and operatin,. employ a `multiplicity of control valves', are expensive and are not well suited Aier using chlorinated 'hydrocarbon solvents due to .theexcessive wastage of the .solvent employed in the cleaning operation.

.My invention is `directed to the provision of .dry Cleaning apparatus .of comparatively simple construction and operation, which is comparatively inexpensive, is well v.suited for usine cold or unheated chlorinatedhydrocarbon solvents, preferably c arbpll tetrachloride or ,perchlorethylene and employs the minimum number of control valves. Theapparatus .0f myinvention provides a Washer of simple, compact and inexpensive Construction having associated means for supplying thereto air, preferably heated air, `in adequate volume for removingall traces of solvent .from the .articles under treatment after completion of the washing operation. The ,solvent vis delivered tothe washer from the ,storage tank, to which it is returned from the washer, and means is provided for continuously removing water from the upper surface of the solvent in thestor- Yage tank, which is .Of importance as guarding against injury to `the ,articles .under treatment. .The solvent passes from the storage tank through a iilter and thence to the washer. It is desir able, at times, to open the lter for inspection, repair or 4replacement o f parts, or for removal of lter rpowder which may accumulate therein in .excessive amount. It is desirable before opening the nlter that ,all solvent, particularly chlorinated hydrocarbon, be `removed therefrom, both to guard against Wastage `of solvent and also to prevent escape of Asolvent in objectionable amount to the atmosphereespecially where the solvent used is of a Vcharacter to be noxious. A further feature of my invention is the provision of means V.whereby the Hlter may be effectively steamed rso as toremove the solvent therefrom before opening of the filter. The solvents used in 'the apparatus of my invention are preferably, as noted, chlorinated 'hydrocarbon solvents, such .as carbon tetrachloride and ,perchlorethylene The vapors of such solvents are heavier than `air and tend to settle to .the `bottom of the washer fduring the `deodorizing operation. I provide means whereby the solvent vapors are removed 2 from the ,washer at .the bottom thereof, which nis advantageous in substantially reducing the time required 4for deOdQriZing. VFurther objects and advantages of my invention will appear from .the detail description.

1n the drawings;

Figure `1 isa semi-diagrammatic view, partly in section and partly in elevation, `with certain parts broken away,of a ,dry cleaning apparatus embodying my invention; and

Figure 2 is a sectional view, pn anenlarged Ascale taken substantially online 2-2 of "Figure 11, certain parts being shown in elevation and certain other parts `being ,shown j partly `broken away and in section, the solvent Vstorage Atarrk being shown fragmentarily.

The yapparatus includes `a, Washer 15 of cylindrical form Vhaving outwardly bulged `fron-t and `back heads 6 and "l, respectively, spaced Vfrom flat Aend walls B and 9 between which is disposed an annular sheet :metal stripconst-:ituting the circumferential wall `Il) of `the "body o f `the washer. The `heads -6 and l are suitably secured, 'conveniently vby welding, to the len d walls 8 tand '9, -and `the end walls `8 and `19 and `the c ircurnferential wall l0 are all secured, conveniently by -welding, to annular frame Vmem-bers -vll of angle cross section. A `collar `l2 extends-from en d wall 8 through the front 'head 6 4defining Aan opening of sui-table form `and size into -the interior of the housing 5, the outer end of such opening being closed by a Vdoor ylf3 mounted Aand secured in any 'suitable'lknown manner.

Bearing housings I4 extend between the -end ywa'l1s`8 and 9 and the headsli and 'l and-aresui-tably secured thereto, conveniently by welding. lil-shaft t5 is rotatably mounted -i-n 4suitable lbearings (not shown) in the housings M, `within whichvrnay also be `provided suitable known lseals elective -for preventing escape of sol-vent vapors about shaft "|i5. This shaft l5 is coaxial with `housing 5 and has secured thereto spiders +6 secured in-the endsof a perforated sleeve I'l disposedin concentric spaced relation `to sha-ft l5. Sleeve -ll is -securedat its -ends in the front and backend wall `I8 and t9, respectively, of a perforated drum v20 `disposed Within `housing "5. This drum is divided :by 4a diametrical partition 2l into two compartments access to 4which is 1hadby doorsl "2,2 `normally closing corresponding openings in front end .wall |8 of drum 20, the doors 22 being `mounted and secured in any suitable known manner.

A labyrinth seal ,24 is provided between end wall 9 @of housing 5 and fthe Vadjacent ,end wall it of drum 2U, in concentric spaced relation to the adjacent end of sleeve l1. An air supply conduit 25 opens into the space enclosed by seal 24, the corresponding area of end wall I 9 of drum 2li being imperforate. Conduit 25 is provided with a check valve 25 of suitable known type opening toward the washer and closing outwardly therefrom. Conduit 25 opens at its other or outer end into a casing 21 enclosing a heating coil 21a to which steam is admitted through a pipe 28, the condensate being discharged through a pipe 29. A regulator 38, of known type, in pipe 28 controls the admission of steam so as to maintain the temperature of the air entering the washer at proper value to guard against injury to the articles under treatment. As will be understood, the temperature of the entering air may be Varied by proper adjustment of the regulator 30, depending upon the nature of the articles being deodorized. Air is admitted to casing 21, from the atmosphere, through a suitable conduit 32 opening into the top of casing 21.

The washer is mounted, conveniently by brackets 35, on a suitable support, which may be a solvent storage tank 35. An overflow conduit 35 opens through the back end wall 9 of washer 5, below and adjacent the seal 24, through a slot 31 defined in part by a baffle element or weir 38 of wall 9. At its lower end the conduit 35 opens into tank 35 a short distance below the bottom thereof, as shown in Figure 1. The Washer 5 is provided, at the bottom thereof, with an upwardly opening discharge manifold 4i) from which extends a rell and discharge conduit 42. A multiple V pulley 43 is secured on the rearward end of shaft i5 and receives belts 44 passing about a multiple V pulley 45 secured on shaft i5 of an electric motor 41 of suitable known type mounted on a bracket 48 on tank 35. The rearward end of shaft 45 is connected, by an over running or slip clutch 55, of suitable known type, to shaft 5l of a unit 52, of suitable known type, comprising a motor and speed reducing means, mounted by bracket 54 on tank 35. During the washing operation the shaft l5 is driven at relatively low speed by the unit 52 through shaft 5l, clutch 55 and shaft 46 of motor 41, and upon completion of the washing operation the shaft I5 is driven at relatively high speed by the motor 41 for expelling solvent from the articles under treatment by centrifugal force; as appears more fully later.

A continuously operating pump 56 has its intake connected, by a conduit 51, to tank 35 at one end and adjacent the bottom thereof, beneath a baiiie 58 within tank 35. The discharge of pump 56 is connected by a conduit 59 to a filter powder box or container 60, the outlet of which is connected by a conduit 5l to the inlet of a lilter E2 of suitable known type. The conduit 5l is provided with a check valve 53 opening toward lter 52 and closing toward the powder container 55, to prevent back flow of solvent from the filter to the powder box or container. The outlet of lter 52 is connected by a conduit 54 to the top of tank 35. A drain nipple G5, provided with a normally closed manually operated valve 51, connects the filter 62, at a suitable distance above the bottom thereof, to the conduit S4. A second nipple provided with a normally closed manually operated valve 61a, connects conduit 64 to conduit 10. The conduit 54 is provided, a short distance above tank 35, with Venturi ejector 68 of suitable known type into the suction of which opens the conduit 42.

A solvent vapor take-off conduit is connested at its lower end to the conduit 42 and at its upper end, by a supplementary conduit 10a, to the inlet of a condenser 84 of suitable known type. The supplementary conduit 10a is connected, by a conduit 83, to the inlet of a carbon adsorber 1| of suitable known type. The conduit 83 is provided with a check valve 93 opening toward conduit 10a and closing toward adsorber 1l. The conduit 10 is provided with a check valve 12 opening toward condenser 84 and closing toward the conduit 42. An air outlet conduit 13 connects the housing of washer 5, at the top thereof, to the conduit 16 between check valve 12 and conduit 42. Conduit 13 is provided with a check valve 13a opening toward conduit 12 and closing toward washer 5. The outlet of the adsorber 1| is connected by a conduit 14 to a continuously operating blower 15 having a discharge conduit 16 leading to atmosphere. The conduit 14 is provided with a check valve 11 opening toward blower 15 and closing toward adsorber 1I. Conduit 14 opens into the suction of a Venturi ejector 13 leading from the outlet of carbon adsorber 1| and comprising a nozzle 19 at the inner end of a steam pipe S@ and extending toward the outlet of adsorber 1l. The steam pipe 50 is controlled by a normally closed solenoid valve 3| of suitable known type.

The condenser 34 is of suitable known type and is cooled by water circulated therethrough through pipes 85 and 85. The outlet of the condenser 84 is connected by a conduit 81 to a gravity water separator 88 of known type having an interior baiiie 8S the upper and lower ends of which are spaced a short distance from the top and the bottom walls of the separator 88. The conduit 81 extends downward within the separator 53 well below the normal water level thereof, at which a dis-charge pipe Q0 opens into separator 88 for continuously discharging water therefrom, this pipe 50 being provided, in practice, with a U trap (not shown). The conduit 31 is provided with suitable openings, one of which is shown at 92, disposed above the water level in the separator 38 for escape thereinto of entrained gases and vapors passing through the conduit 81. A conduit 94 extends from the top of separator 88, at the water side thereof, to the inlet of adsorber 1l. This conduit 94 is provided with a check valve 95 opening toward adsorber 1I and closing toward the water separator 88. A conduit S6 connects the separator 88 to storage tank 35 for returning to the latter solvent from separator 88. The solvent used has a greater specic gravity than water, as above noted, and separates therefrom by gravity in the separator 88, the water being continuously discharged through pipe 55 and the solvent being returned through the conduit 96 to tank 35, as will be clear from what has been said. An equalizer conduit 98 connects conduit 10a, adjacent the inlet of condenser 84, to the top of tank 35, for removing from the latter any vapors evolved therein or delivered thereto and for maintaining the pressure in the separator 88 equal to or greater than the pressure in the tank 35. The conduit 98 is provided with a check valve 98a opening toward condenser S4 and closing toward tank 35. Conduit 98 is of proper siZe-about one-quarter inch in diameter-to perform its equalizing function while avoiding withdrawal of solvent vapor from the washer 5 through tank 35, with resultant delivery of solvent saturated air through conduit 98 during the deodorizing step. During deodorizing, the solvent vapor is withdrawn from the bottom of washeri through `35, the length of member |.02 `within tank 35 vbeing `such that `it lays `at `all times upon 'the surfacecf the solvent within the tank. Since the solvent `is immiscible :with .water and Yis of greater specific `gravity than water, any water which enters the tank withfthe solvent will Iloat upon the solvent so as to be absorbedby the wick `member |62, which is formed of a material, conveniently cotton, which is highly absorbent of water and will float when `Water `wet upon the solvent. The lower portion of Wick `member |02 is at all times submerged in water within the container |08, assuring that wick member |02 is `maintained saturated with water. The container `|III is provided with an overilow `pipe |04 provided with a lightly loaded check valve |05 of known type, which opens and closes away yfrom and toward the container |00. In that manner, the water within container 00 is maintained at about the level shown. The wick member |02 readily absorbs the water on the surface of the solvent and conveys it by capillarity `to the container l-. In addition, by extending the outer end of the wick member |02 downward below the level of `the solvent in tank 35, the water flowing downward through the `wick member `into container |08 exerts a siphoning action whichlexpedites removal of water `by the wick member |02 from the surface of the solvent. In that manner, the wick member |82 acts both by capillarity and by siphoning to remove continuously water i'rom the surfaces of the solvent in tank 35. In that manner, I guard against accumulation `of water in Vthe storage tank 35 and risk of `water `being drawn therefrom into the washer with resultant injury to `the articles under treatment, if the solvent in storage tank 5 is low, and also render it practicable to use a comparatively small solvent storage tank.

In the use of the apparatus of my invention, the articles are `placed within the `drum 20, to which solvent is delivered by pump 56 fromfllter 162, by closing a solenoid control valve `|01 in conduit 64, between tank 35 and the Venturi ejector `58. The overow Weir 3B maintains `the desired level of solvent within the Washer, and during the washing operation, which requires from three to ve minutes, the drum 20 is rotated at low speed, approximately twenty-six R. P. M., by the unit 52. While the articles are being washed, the carbon adsorber 1| may be regenerated by opening the solenoid valve .8| and admitting steam thereto. The flow of steam from nozzle 19 through the ejector 18 produces a subatmospheric pressure in conduit 14 ,effective for closing valve 11 and holding it closed against the suction eiect of blower 15. The `steam .owing through the adsorber 1| removes .the adsorbed `solvent therefrom and the resultant solvent vapor and steam passes through the `conduit 83 and the The .check `valve 95 in condut'94 closes. dur.-

ring regeneration pf .carbon .adsorber'il 4vents ,flow .through conduit 9.4 :of .solvent fvapor and steam fromadsorber 1|.

The air displaced from :the lwasher'bythermtering solvent .ftlows ythrough :the v,conduit 1.3 ,to conduit 10 and :thence to the'condenserzll.. Upon fcompletion .of :the washing operation, the solenoid 'valve 1| .01 is opened, the pump :5.6 remaining in operation, for draining the :free solvent from the washer. Thesolvent from lter ;6:2 .is then discharged throughthe Venturi ejector 6.8 into tank 35 and induces rapid flow of Asolvent through conduitALtherebyexpediting draining of washer 5. After thetree-solventwhas been drained `from `the washer, drurn2r0 is rotated `at relatively high speed, approximately lour hundred R. P. M., by the motor .41, thus removing by :centrifugal 4action the major portion of the solvent remaining inthe articles, sol-as toreduce ythefamount of such solvent from approximately three "hundred'percent of .the normal dry weight of the articles :to approximately twenty live fpercent.

Upon completion of the centrifuging operation, `which requires yfrom seven to ten minutes, -regeneration of the adsorber '1| `having been -completed and the solenoid valve 8| being closed,

check valves 11 and -95 open and the blower 15 again becomes eecti-ve. The drum `2|) 'then rotated at relatively low speed, as during `the washing operation, and-the blower `is then ef- `fective for drawing into perforated sleeve `|f'|, through conduit 25, 'heated air in adequate volume. This heated air, -at a temperature `from about 200 to 250SJ passes through thewartieles under treatmentand quickly removes the-'remaining solvent therefrom, this deodorizing step being completed in lfrom ten to `fifteen minutes. The resultant solvent vapor'is withdrawnthreugh the conduits `:42, .10 rand 10a, the Ycondenser `84, water separator 88, conduit -94-an d adsorber 1|. The withdrawn solvent vapor is, in major portion at least,condensed inthe condenser 8d. Any

solvent vapor withdrawn from separator 8-8 is adsorbed 4inthe adsorber 1| and theair discharged from blower 15 is `solvent -free and odorless.

The solvent vapors, being heavier than air, tend to sink to the bottom of the washerand are `rapidly removed rthroughtheconduits 42, 10 and 10a, condenser 84, separator |38, `conduit -94 and -adsorber 1|. Tests `under actual opera-ting conditions have demonstrated that the amount of air `required to `deodorize `completely the Vmaterials when the solvent `vapo-rs are withdrawn from the bottom of the washer is but `one `-tenth of the amount required when the solvent -vapors .are withdrawn `from the top 4of the washer. There is thus a' distinct advantage in removing the `solvent vapors `from the lower portion or bottom of the washer, `as will be `clear Vfrom the above. Any air or non-condensable vapors entering the separator .188 will be withdrawn therefrom, together with any solvent vapors entering separator 88, through the conduit 494 and the adsorber 1|, in which the solvent vapors, if present, are adsorbed `as above stated. Also, any vapors evolved in, or discharged into, the tank `35 are withdrawn therefrom through `thelconduit 98, condenser 84, `separator 88, conduit `91| 4and adsorber 1|, and are `adsorbed in lthe adsorber 1|, as will be clear `from what has been said. The check valve 2.6 in conduit f25 eiectivelyfprevents escape of solvent .vapors from `the washer to atmosphere. .It `will be `seenthat substantially complete recovery of solvent vapors is .effected and no appreciable floss .of solvent'toratmosphere occurswhich is an important consideration in the dry cleaning industry. Preferably, an equalizer tube |08 connects the container |00 to conduit 98 for equalizing the pressure in tank 35 and container |00, to assure most eirlcient operation of the wick member |02. As will be noted, this Wick member |02 is completely enclosed from the atmosphere to guard against evaporation of water therefrom and assure the combined siphoning and capillary action thereof above mentioned, for removing water from the solvent within tank 35.

A steam pipe is connected to filter 62, for admitting steam thereto, this Ipipe being controlled by a manually operated valve which normally is closed. When it is desired to open the filter 62, the pump 56 is stopped and valve 6l is opened so as to drain solvent from the lter into tank 35, through nipple 66, the lower portion of conduit 64 and ejector 68, the solenoid valve |07 remaining open. After that has been done, the valve |07 is closed, valve Ill is then opened, permitting entry of the steam into the lter 62 and valve 61a is opened, valve 6l remaining open. The steam and the resultant azeotropic vapor flow from filter 62 through pipe 64, nipples 66 and 66e, and conduit l0 and 'i0EL into the condenser 84. A thermometer H is mounted in pipe 64 to indicate the temperature of the vapors and gases ovving therethrough. When this thermometer indicates a temperature of from 190 F., to 212 F., preferably the latter, that is an indication that all of the solvent which remained in the filter 62 after draining thereof has been vaporized and removed from the lter. The iilter may then be opened without loss of solvent and without risk to the operator in cases where the solvent used is noxious. The solvent vapor from the lter 62, during steaming thereof, flows to the condenser 84, in whichit is condensed and the solvent is delivered through conduit 8l to the separator 88 and thence, through conduit 96, to storage tank 35. In that manner I guard against loss of solvent when it becomes necessary or desirable to open the lter, thereby contributing further to saving of solvent which is comparatively expensive.

It will be understood that changes in detail may be resorted to without departing from my invention, and I intend to include all such variations, as fall within the scope of the appended claims, in this application in which the preferred form only of my invention has been disclosed,

I claim:

l. In dry cleaning apparatus, a washer comprising a housing, a perforated drum rotatably mounted in said housing, means for admitting air to said drum substantially axially thereof while guarding against escape to atmosphere of vapors from said drum, a rell and discharge conduit opening into said housing adjacent a bottom portion thereof, selective means for continuously delivering a chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent through said conduit and to said housing or for discharging solvent from said housing through said conduit, an overflow conduit opening into said housing above the opening of said refill and discharge conduit, a solvent vapor take-or conduit extending from said refill and discharge conduit, suction means connected to said take-off conduit, and a check valve in said take-off conduit opening toward said suction means and closing toward said discharge and reiill conduit.

2, In dry cleaning apparatus, a washer comprising a housing, a perforated drum rotatably mounted in said housing, an air supply conduit communicating with said drum substantially axially thereof, a check valve in said conduit opening toward and closing away from said drum, a refill and discharge conduit opening into said housing adjacent a bottom portion thereof, selective means for continuously delivering a chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent through said conduit and to said housing or for discharging solvent from said housing through said conduit, an overiiow conduit opening into said housing above the opening of said refill and discharge conduit, a solvent vapor take-off conduit extending from said reiill and discharge conduit, suction means connected to said take-off conduit, and a check valve in said take-off conduit opening toward said suction means and closing toward said discharge and refill conduit.

3. In dry cleaning apparatus, a washer comprising a housing, a perforated drum rotatably mounted in said housing, means for admitting air to said drum substantially axially thereof while guarding against escape to atmosphere of vapor from said drum, a rell and discharge conduit opening into said housing adjacent a bottom portion thereof, selective means for continuously delivering a chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent through said conduit and to said housing or for discharging solvent from said housing through said conduit, an overiiow conduit opening into said housing above the opening of said reiill and discharge conduit, a solvent vapor take-off conduit extendingfrom said rell and discharge conduit, suction means connected to said take-o conduit, a check valve in said takeo conduit opening toward said suction means and closing toward said discharge and reiill conduit, and an air take-off conduit connecting the top of said housing to said take-orf conduit between said check valve and said rell and discharge conduit.

4. In dry cleaning apparatus, a washer for receiving articles to be cleaned and a chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent, a carbon adsorber, a solvent vapor take-off conduit communicating with said washer adjacent a bottom portion thereof and with an inlet of said carbon adsorber, suction means connecting to an outlet of said carbon adsorber, and a check valve in said conduit opening toward and closing away from said carbon adsorber.

5. In dry cleaning apparatus, a Washer for receiving articles to be cleaned and a chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent, a Water-solvent separator,

a condenser having an outlet connected to said separator, a solvent Vapor take-off conduit communicating With said Washer adjacent a bottom portion thereof and with an inlet of said condenser, a check valve in said conduit opening toward and closing away from said condenser, a carbon adsorber, a second conduit connecting said separator above the water level therein to an inlet of said carbon adsorber, and suction means connected to an outlet of said carbon adsorber.

6. In dry cleaning apparatus, a washer for receiving articles to be cleaned and a chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent, a Water-solvent separator, a condenser having its outlet connected to said separator, a solvent vapor take-off conduit communicating with said washer adjacent a bottom portion thereof and with an inlet of said condenser, a check valve in said conduit opening toward and closing away from said condenser,

a carbon adsorber, a. second. conduit connecting said separator above the water. level therein to an inlet. of; said` carbon` adsorber, a check valve in said second conduit opening toward said carbonadsorber and closing toward saidseparator, a third conduit connected to the inlet of said carbon adsorber and toV said. rst conduit between sai'd" condenser and said check valve in said iirst conduit, a check valve in said third: conduit opening toward said first conduit and closing toward said carbon adsorber, a steam admitting Venturi'Y ejector opening into an` outlet` of.' said' carbon adsorber for optionally ejecting steam into said carbon` adsorber and thereby creating a suction in the outlet of said: carbonadsorber, suction means,.aA fourth conduit connecting the suction of said ejector to.` an intake of said suction means, and a check valvein said fourth conduit opening toward said suction means and closing toward said ejector.

'7.` In dry cleaning apparatus; a` washer, a storage tank for a chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent, a lter', a pump having its intake connected to said tank and its discharge connected to an inlet of said filter, selective means for connecting ani outlet. of said filter to said washer or' to said tank andL comprising means for optionally draining said iilter to said tank, and means for admitting steam to said iilter and taking-off therefrom the resultant azeotropic solvent vapor for removing from` said` filter any solvent remaining therein. after draining thereof..

8'. In dry cleaning` apparatus, a washer, a storage tank for a chlorinated' hydrocarbon solvent, a liltena lter powder container', a conduit connecting` an. outlet of said container to an inlet of said. filter, a pumpV having its intake connected toisaidtank and its discharge connectedito an inlet of said container, a check valve in said conduit opening toward said lter and clos.- ing toward said container, selective means for connecting an outlet ofJ said iilterA to said washer or to` said tank and comprising means for op tionally draining said lter to said. tank,. and means for admitting steam-4 to said lter and taking-oil*` therefrom the resulta-nt azeotropio` solvent vapor for removing from said filter any solvent remaining therein after draining thereof.

9. dryV cleaning apparatus, a washer, a storage tank for a chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent, a filter, a pump having its intake connected to said tank and its discharge connected to an in let of said filter, selective means for connecting an outlet` of said iilter to said washer or to said.

tank: andcomprising means' for optionally draining saidnlter. to said tank, a condenser, a carbon adsorber having its inlet connected' to an. outlet oi. said condenser, a steam supply pipe connected to said filter for admitting steam thereto', an` equalizer' conduit connecting said tank above the solvent level" therein to an inlet of said condensen and means' for optionally connecting said filter to the inlet of said condenser for delivering to the latter azeotropic solvent vapors evolved in said lter incident to admission of steam thereto.

l0. In dry cleaning apparatus, a washer, a storage tank for a chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent, an overflow from said washer to said tank, a lter, a pump having its intake connected to said tank and its discharge connected to an inlet of said lter, a solvent return conduit connecting an outlet of said filter to said tank, a refill and discharge conduit connected to a bottom portion of said washer and to said return conduit, a control valve in said return conduit between` said` tank and said refill and.`

discharge` conduit, a carbon adsorber, suction means, an` outlet conduit ofl said adsorber connected to said suction` means, a check` valve in said outlet conduit opening towardA said suction mea-ns and closing toward said adsorber, means comprising an ejector in said outlet conduit between said check valve and said adsorber for optionally admitting` steam to thelatter, a watersolvent separator, a condenser having its outlet connected tosaid separator, a solvent vapor takeoi conduit connecting said rell and discharge conduit to an inlet of said condenser, a check valveV in said take-olf conduit opening toward said condenser and closing toward said reii'll and take-oil". conduit, asolvent return conduit connecting` said separator to` said tank, a takeon conduit connecting said separator above the water level therein to: an inlet of said carbon adsorber, a check valve in said last mentioned take--off` conduit opening towardl said carbon adsorber andi closing toward' said separator, and a vapor'and steam conduit connecting the inlet of said adsorber to the inletof said condenser and provided with a check valve opening toward said condenser and closing toward said adsorber.

1l. In dry cleaning apparatus, a washer, a storage tank for a chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent, an overflow from said washer to said tank, a filter, a pump having its intake connected to said tank and its discharge connected to an inlet of said lter, a solvent return. conduit connecting an outlet of said filterto said tank, a refill and discharge conduit connected to a bottom portion of saidwasher and to said return' conduit, a control valve in said return conduit between said tank and said reiill and discharge conduit, a carbon adsorber, suction means", an outlet conduit of said adsorber connected to said suction means, a check valve in. saidoutlet conduit opening toward said suction means and closing toward said adsorber, means comprising an ejector in saidoutlet conduit between said check valve and said adsorber for optionally admitting steam to the latter, a water-solvent separator, a condenser having its outlet connected to said separator, a, solvent vaporl take-oit conduit connecting said rell and discharge conduit to an inlet of said condenser, a check valve in said take-oit` conduit opening toward said condenser and closing toward said rei-lll and" take-01T conduit, a solvent return conduit connecting said separator to said tank, a take-on Conduit connecting said separator above the water level therein tov an inlet of Said carbon adsorber, a check valve in said last mentioned take-01T conduit opening toward said carbon adsorber and closing toward said separator,.a vapor and steam conduit connecting the inlet of saidV adsorber to the inlet of said condenser and provided with a check valve opening toward' said. condenser and closing toward said adsorber, a steam supply, pipe connected to said nlter foradmitting steam thereto, an equalizer conduit connecting said tank above the solvent level therein to the inlet of said condenser, and means for optionally connecting said filter to said solvent vapor take-off conduit for delivering to the latter azeotropic solvent vapors evolved in said filter incident to admission of steam thereto.

l2. In dry cleaning apparatus, a washer, a storage tank for chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent, means controlling the solvent level in said washer, a lter, a pump having its intake connected to said tank and its discharge connected to an inlet of said filter, a solvent return conduit connecting an outlet of said filter to said tank, a reiill and discharge conduit connecting a bottom portion of said washer to said return conduit, a control valve in said return conduit between said tank and said refill and discharge conduit, a carbon adsorber, suction means, an outlet conduit of said adsorber connected to said suction means, a check valve in said outlet conduit opening toward said suction means and closing toward said adsorber, means comprising an ejector in said outlet conduit between said check valve and said adsorber for optionally admitting steam to the latter, a. water-solvent separator, a, condenser having its outlet connected to said separator, a solvent vapor take-off conduit connecting said reiill and dis- Charge conduit to an inlet of said condenser, a check valve in said take-off conduit opening toward said condenser and closing toward said rell and take-ofi conduit, a solvent return conduit connecting said separator to said tank, a vapor and steam conduit connecting an inlet of said adsorber to the inlet of said condenser and provided with a check valve opening toward said condenser and closing toward said adsorber, a take-ofi Conduit connecting said separator above the water level therein to the inlet of said carbon adsorber, a check valve in said last mentioned conduit opening toward said carbon adsorber and closing toward said separator, a steam supply pipe connected to said lter for admitting steam thereto, an equalizer conduit connecting said tank above the solvent level therein to the inlet of said condenser, and means for optionally connecting said lter to said solvent vapor take-ofi conduit for delivering to the latter azeotropic solvent vapors evolved in said iilter incident to admission of steam thereto.

13. In dry cleaning apparatus, a washer, a storage tank for chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent immiscible with and of greater specific gravity than water, means for delivering solvent from said tank to said Washer and returning it from the latter to said tank, and a wick member extending from the exterior of said tank into the latter to such an extent as to float on the solvent therein, said wick member being water absorbent and of a character when water wet to float on the solvent, whereby said wick member is eiective for removing water from the upper surface of the solvent by capillarityy.

14. In dry cleaning apparatus, a washer, a

Y storage tank for a chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent immiscible with and of greater specific gravity than water, means for delivering solvent from said tank to said washer and returning it from the latter to said tank, and a wick member extending from the exterior of said tank into the latter to such an extent as to iioat on the solvent therein, said Wick member being water absorbent and of a character when water wet to float on the solvent, said wick member extending downwardly below said tank exteriorly thereof and having its 12 lower portion immersed in water, said Wick member being eiective for removing water from the upper surface of the solvent by combined Siphoning and capillarity.

15. In dry cleaning apparatus, a storage tank for a chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent immiscible With and of greater specific gravity than Water, means for delivering solvent from said tank to said washer and returning it to said tank, a container positioned below said tank and exteriorly thereof, a tube connecting said container to said tank adjacent the top thereof, and a wick member positioned in said container below said tank and extending upward through said tube into said tank to an extent suiiicient to oat on the solvent therein, said wick member being Water absorbent and of a character when water Wet to iioat on the solvent.

16. In dry cleaning apparatus, a Washer, a storage tank for a chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent immiscible with and of greater specic gravity than water, means for delivering solvent from said tank to` said washer and returning it. from the latter to said tank, and stationary capillary wick means having a portion floatable when water wet upon the solvent in the tank for continuously removing water from the top of the solvent Within said tank and delivering it by capillary action to a place of discharge separated from the solvent in the tank.

17. In dry cleaning apparatus, a Washer, a storage tank for a chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent immiscible with and of greater specic gravity thanl water, a lter and means for introducing filter powder therein, a pump having an inlet connected with said tank below the liquid level therein and means connecting an outlet of said. pump for delivering solvent into said lter, means connecting an outlet of said filter with said Washer and with said tank and means for selectively directing the iiltered solvent from said lter to either the washer or the tank, and stationary capillary wick means having a portion iioatable when water wet upon the solvent in said tank for continuously removing Water from the top of the solvent Within the tank and delivering it by capillary action to a place of discharge separated from the solvent in the tank.

DAN McDONALD.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,410,230 Wagner Mar. 21, 1922 1,775,699 Silver Sept. 16, 1930 1,843,657 Welles et al. Feb. 2, 1932 2,011,083 Sandoi Aug. 18, 1935 2,117,273 Brown May 17, 1938 2,198,412 McDonald Apr. 23, 1940 2,359,138 Martin Sept. 26, 1944 2,574,251 Dinley Nov. 6, 1951 

